Another look at the Grenadines garbage tax

THE GARBAGE collection system in the Grenadines in very efficient and dependable.The garbage truck goes around about twice per week in each area, collects and disposes the refuse.

A few areas however, are not covered and justifying fees for those households may pose a problem. Most people however, are apparently not paying the Environmental fee (garbage tax). The amount outstanding, like uncollected Value Added Taxes, may be approaching an outrageous amount and perhaps a different approach is warranted.

People seem to have no respect for the $10 Environmental fee. Perhaps if it was like the light bill, telephone bill, cable bill, or internet bill, the rate of collection would have been higher. The fees need to be more in line with the cost of the service provided.

To include everyone, the garbage collectors need to assume the role of Environmental Consulters where they give assistance, advice, and technical support to every household on how to reduce, recycle, and reuse waste. This would include sorting waste into various categories and disposing them in the most environmentally friendly manner.

Thus, biodegradables will go to the household compost heap, plastics to the shredder to be used in the construction of building blocks and roads, bottles to be either recycled or broken to pieces for blocks and roads, and metals to be sent to the junk yard for export.

The garbage collectors will make a study of every possible item of refuse and advise on how it is to be disposed.They would also study what other countries are doing and advise on what can be done locally.

A whole industry should be developed from the handling and disposal of waste, and those involved and benefiting should take the lead. In their hands we place the Sargassum weed, air pollution, noise pollution, and land conservation. A number of nationals who have studied Environmental Science and are working in the government system need to find a role in creating a solution to our garbage problem.

Anthony Stewart, PhD